Murmurs

[shewhomust]

I hadn't expected to segue neatly from the previous bird post into another, but when Martin Simpson, Nancy Kerr and Andy Cutting took the stage at the Sage last night, they opened the show with Martin Simpson's stunning song, Dark Swift and Bright Swallow. How did the swallow manage not to be one of the nation's ten favourite birds? Something badly wrong there.

Nothing at all wrong with the concert, three strong and creative performers clearly having just the most fun ever playing together. Some fine new songs, and some splendid arrangements of old ones: I'd love to share their version of Lads of Alnwick ("because," says Nancy Kerr, "if you don't have a Northumbrian piper in your band, clawhammer banjo and one-row melodion are the next best thing." On the other hand, if you do have a Northumbrian piper in your band, this is what it sounds like), but just one track from the collaboration seems to have made it onto the internet, and it does give the flavour of their work:

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Oh, what a lovely piece!

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

It was a great concert altogether!

[athenais.livejournal.com]

That's so gorgeous. I wish I could play violin like that.

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Quite apart from how good it sounds, I love watching her face while she plays...

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

I'd noticed they'd cut an album together which we must pick up.

Nancy is an awesome stylist.

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

Oh and talking of Reuben's Train, if they're touring and you get the chance, go and see these maniacs!

Saw them in Orkney three or four years back.

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Fun! Thanks for the pointer.